Rua has also learned that some things are, ultimately, out of his control. So, if you ask “Shogun” (25-10 MMA, 9-8 UFC) whether a title bout with dual champ Daniel Cormier will follow a win over Smith (28-14 MMA, 5-3 UFC) on Sunday, Rua can’t give you an assertive answers.

But if the question is whether, depending on how that goes, “Shogun” deserves the opportunity to reclaim the UFC’s 205-pound belt? Now that’s a little different.

“I believe that, if I win this fight well, that I deserve to fight for the belt,” Rua told MMAjunkie. “For my career, for my history, those who know me from the time I started know that I deserve this chance.”

Related

And that’s just about as categorically as Rua will speak on the matter as he promptly ponders further.

“But this is out of my control, too,” Rua said. “It’s not something that I decide. Cormier calling my name makes it a lot easier, but I can’t think about that when I have a tough opponent like Anthony Smith ahead of me.”

Those who have talked to Rua in the past know this type of in-the-present mentality is not out of character. You won’t see the 36-year-old Brazilian making bold claims or talking things into existence. And while that may very well just be part of his personality, it could also have something to do with adaptation.

After all, one would think a 16-year MMA veteran like Rua has learned a thing or two about situations that don’t always pan out the way he’d originally planned. Case in point: this very fight that he has ahead of him at Barclaycard Arena in Hamburg, Germany.

Related

Rua, who hasn’t fought since a TKO win over Gian Villante in March 2017, was supposed to have returned last September, in Japan, but his knee didn’t hold up. “Shogun” went on to get a solid booking against Volkan Oezdemir – then fresh off a losing title effort against Cormier. That one fell through due to Oezdemir’s legal issues in the U.S.

The match was rebooked for two months after that, but then came another twist: Oezdemir was relocated to a UFC 227 meeting with Alexander Gustafsson. And then Rua, who’s ranked No. 13 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA light heavyweight rankings, went from fighting No. 7 Oezdemir to meeting a fresh arrival to the 205-pound division in long-time middleweight Smith.

But “Shogun” says he wasn’t disappointed when Smith – a name who possibly wouldn’t strengthen his title case as much as Oezdemir’s – was offered to him.

“I think about the win,” Rua said. “I think about winning this fight, which is a tough one, and if I win, against whomever it is, I’ll be closer to the belt. That’s what I think.”

Gallery

Photos: Best of 'Shogun' Rua

And if having to constantly readjust added frustration, he sure is hiding it well.

“I think these types of changes are inevitable,” Rua said. “And it’s not just today; it’s always been like this. You can’t count 100 percent on something. My luck was that my opponent switch was to someone with the same profile as Oezdemir – comes from muay Thai, likes striking. So that’s it. I was fortunate to have an opponent with basically the same strengths as Oezdemir.”

All the better that those strengths happen to pair up well with his.

“I believe it’s a good fight, this matchup,” Rua said. “Because he’s a guy who goes for the fight, so am I. Neither of us stall, so I think that makes for an exciting fight. I’d rather fight guys like him, who chase the fight, who chase the knockout, than someone who wants to stall. So I’m happy with it.”

Oezdemir hasn’t had the same luck. As initially reported by ESPN.com, the 205-pound fighter has suffered a broken nose and, therefore, won’t be able to step in against Gustafsson.

“Shogun,” on his end, hadn’t heard what exactly ailed Oezdemir when he talked to MMAjunkie – but offered his immediate sympathy once he did.

“It’s really rough – the nose sucks,” Rua said.

Related

As for what that will mean for the 205-pound division and its title picture, time – and maybe the two main fights of Sunday’s event – will tell. But “Shogun” knows that it’s going to make it more “open.”

“I think it does (impact things), because Oezdemir is ahead in the rankings, and if he’d beaten Gustafsson he could be one of the next challengers,” Rua said.

Asked whether he’d still like to face Oezdemir at one point, after two failed attempts at making it happen, Rua offered a “maybe, in the near future.” But, again, it’s first things first for the ex-champ.

“Now I’m focused on Anthony Smith 100 percent,” Rua said. “Then, I’ll see what I do. If I win well, I’ll try for the belt, but I’m taking it fight by fight.”

A lot can happen in a fight – namely, injuries. But, should “Shogun” come out unscathed, here’s yet another bit of his future that he’s willing to project.

“For sure (I want to stay active),” Rua said. “When I fought (Antonio Rogerio Nogueira), I hadn’t fought for a while because of (‘The Ultimate Fighter Brazil: 4,’ which Rua coached). Then I had some small injuries. I’d fight and have to nurse them. I want to fight, and God willing, leave at 100 percent so I can return right away.”